System for vaporizing liquids and the absorption of smoke, evil odors, and the like



P. L. VIDAL Filed Feb. 27, 1953 I. n a 3% mw mfi m; f u M 5 Z :m 1 M W WM :7 fl

SYSTEM FOR VAPORIZING OF SMOKE, EVIL ODORS, AND THE LIKE I March 19,1935.

March 19, 1935.

VIDAL 1,994,932

P. L. SYSTEM FOR VAPORIZING LIQUIDS AND THE ABSORPTION OF SMOKE, EVILODORS, AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 27, 1935 2 Sheets-$heet 2 w j; m +/59 .58

56 Fe rre ,l/qC/en K61 Ju .54 W7 Patented Mar. 19, 1935 SYSTEM FOR.VAPORIZING LIQUIDS AND THE ABSORPTION OF SMOKE, EVIL ODORS, AND THEPierre Lucien Vidal, Versailles, France Application February 27, 1933,Serial No. 658,881 In France February 27, 1932 7 Claims.

Numerous devices have already been proposed for removing evil odors andabsorbing tobacco smoke and the like; these devices work on the vprinciple of the partial oxidation, in the presence 5 of a catalyzer, ofthe vapors of alcohol, preferably methyl alcohol, with a view to formingformaldehyde.

In the case of methyl alcohol, the reaction is:

In apparatuses of this type now in use, the heat developed by thecatalyzer produces, once the reaction is initiated, the evaporation ofthe alcohol, 15 and this evaporation of the alcohol and the reactioncontinue without any further attention. This causes numerous drawbacksin that it is necessary, for obtaining this intense heating action, touse very costly and fragile catalyzers, such as platinum salts and onthe other hand difilculty is experienced in stopping the apparatus,requiring the use of an extinguisher for instance.

The present invention removes these drawbacks. The apparatus disclosedhereinafter causes the evaporation of the alcohol by means of anelectric resistance and this evaporation ceases as soon as the currentis shut oil, the catalyzer by itself not being capable of keeping upthis evaporation.

In principle the catalyzer is also heated by the same electricresistance and the stopping of its heating also stops the reaction.

In brief the working of the apparatus ceases as soon as the heatingcurrent is switched off. This allows the easy and simultaneous controlfrom a distance of the working and the duration of the working of anynumber of apparatuses.

This is of considerable interest for instance in public places such astheatres, moving picture shows and the like.

On the other hand it is possible also to use much stronger and cheapereatalyzers such as copper or porous material covered with a deposit ofsilver.

I have described hereinbelow by way of example and shown on accompanyingdrawings several forms of execution of devices according to myinvention.

Fig. 1 is an axial vertical cross-section of a first form of executionof a device according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the manner of mounting thisdevice and of adjusting the entrance of air into the device.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-section of the upper part of the deviceshown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side view partly in axial vertical crossesectional view ofanother form of execution.

Fig. 5 is an axial vertical cross-sectional view of a third form ofexecution.

The device shown in Fig. 1 comprises a suitably shaped container 1filled with the alcohol to be evaporated. On the upper edge of thiscontainer there is laid freely the device producing the vapors asprovided for by the invention.

This device is constituted by a central metal tube 3 forming a supportand guide for a wick 4 which is held sufliciently tight in this tube forremaining in place through mere friction with the addition in some casesof an intermediary metal sheath.

The lower part of the wick 4 is immersed deep in the liquid in thecontainer 1 which provides the capillary rising of the said liquid inthe wick 4.

The metal tube 3 is secured, for instance through welding, to a carrierplate 5 resting over the upper edge 2 of the container. This plate isprovided with a number of holes 6 adapted to provide the freecirculation of air inside the container 1.

The tube 3 is surrounded by a sleeve 7 of insulating and non-burningmaterial such as mica over which is spirally wound a wire 8 forming theresistance and connected with the terminals for the current leads 91 and92. Of course the diameter and the number of windings of the wire 8 arecalculated in a manner such as will provide a suitable heating of thewick 4 and the evolving of the vapor.

The heating resistance 8 is in its turn covered by an insulating sleeve10, of asbestos for instance, which provides the thermic and electricinsulation. Lastly the whole wick-carrying system is coated withinsulating varnish 11.

The catalyzer is preferably constituted by the upper part 3' of themetal tube 3. It may also be completed by one or more superposed gridssuch as 12 passing over the upper part of the wick 4 or by a sort ofmetal gauze 13 surrounding the end of the wick. The metal used thereformay be either copper or any other metal, alloy or com-- position capableof initiating and producing the oxidation reaction transforming thealcohol into an aldehyde. For ensuring a proper oxidation, it is ofadvantage to produce a circulation of air which may be obtained eitherthrough the lateral parts 14 provided through the tube 3 and registeringwith openings 15 in the sleeve 10, or through flutes or grooves providedinside the tube 3, or else through a combination of both means as shownin the form of execution illustrated.

In all cases the air arrives in contact with the wick 4 and mixes withthe vapors of alcohol underneath the catalyzer through which passes themixture thus formed.

The working of this device is as follows:

The alcohol being introduced in the'container 1, the wick-holding systemis placed over the edge 2 of the receiver by means of its carrierplate 5and the wick 4 is thus immersed in the alcohol which rises by capillaryattraction in the wick. The circuit 9 -9 is then closed in theresistance 8 so as to heat the metal tube 3. The heat is thentransmitted to the absorbing wick 4 and produces vapors which aretransformed into the aldehyde required for the removal of the evil odorsand of the tobacco and the like smoke.

It will be noted that the electric resistances ensure on one hand theheating of the wick which further the formation of alcohol vapors and onthe other hand the heating of the catalyzer, i. e. of the tube 3 and ofthe metal grid 12 or 13, transforming the alcohol into aldehyde.

In Figs. 2 and 3, the device is covered with a double cap 20 ofinsulating material such as porcelain. This double cap comprises aninner cap 20 and an outer cap 20 surrounding the former and adapted torotate freely round it. These caps 20 and 20 are provided withapertures, 21 and 21 respectively, divided by solid parts 22 and 22respectively. The rotation of the cap 20 with reference to the cap 20affords thus means for opening and closing the system.

On the other hand the inner cap 20 carries a contact 23 connected withone current lead 9 while the outer movable cap carries a contact 24connected with the other current lead 9 The working is as follows:

When the outer cap 20 is brought through rotation into a position forwhich the contacts 2324 operatively bear one against the other, thecircuit is closed and the alcohol begins vaporizing. For this positionshown in Fig. 3, the apertures 21 and 21 register one with another. Thecap is open and the vapors escape freely to the outside.

If on the contrary the cap is rotated, backwards, away from thisposition of contact, the circuit of the heating resistances is brokenand the apertures 21 are closed by the solid parts 2.2 of the outer cap.The alcohol cannot continue evaporating.

The form of execution shown in Fig. 4 differs from that of Figs. 1-3 asconcerns certain details. It comprises also a container 31 and a wick 32held by metal wires 33 and also carries a catalyzer 35. The heatingsystem is constituted by an electric heating resistance 36 connectedwith two current terminals and. wound over a sleeve 37.

The static pressure of the liquid rising in the wick through capillaryaction decreases from bottom to top. It will be remarked that the inneroutline of the sleeve 37 and of the resistance 36 is curvilinear andthat its diameter increases from bottom to top whereby the amount ofheattransmitted to the wick decreases from bottom to top and is proportionalto the speed wherewith the evaporated liquid may be replaced. The inneroutline of the sleeve and resistance is preferably a parabola whereby ineach horizontal heating plane, the squares of the distances between theheating wall and the wick vary Substantially according to a linearfunction of the variations in pressure of the liquid.

In the device just described the vapors of aldehyde pass out through thetop of the casing 38 after removal of the cover 39 closing the latter.This cover 39 serves for preventing the natural evaporation of theliquid when the device is not in use. For removing the cover in areliable manner as soon as current is sent through the resistance 36,the said cover is carried by a lever 41 pivoting upon a support 42 and.

provided with an extension 43. This extension forms the soft ironarmature of the electromagnet 44 carried by the casing 38. A smallreturn spring 42' holds the cover 39 down on the casing.

The circuit of the electromagnet 44 being fed from the same supply asthe heating resistance 36, it is switched off and on together with thelatter. Thus as soon as the device is started operating, the cover 39 isremoved and the aldehyde may pass out into the atmosphere. Reversely thecasing is closed when the device is inoperative.

Obviously instead of the arrangement disclosed, it is possible to adoptthe same electromagnetic means for closing the openings admitting airinto or the vapor out of the device.

The addition of an electromagnet such as 44 produces moreover aconsiderable advantage inasmuch as its circuit may be connectedaccording to the voltage of the mains used in series or in parallel withthe heating resistance whereby the same type of resistance may be usedfor different voltages.

Fig. 5 shows a slightly different form of execution of the device. Themain part is constituted in this case by the insulating support 51forming a central core round which is wound the heating resistance 52the ends of which are connected with suitable terminals. Axially of thissupport and at the lower end thereof, is provided a downwardly openingrecess 53 housing the wick 54 held in the tube 55 secured in thecontainer cover 56 carrying the support 51. The tube 55 is closed by acap 57 and communicates with the recess 53 through notches 58 at theupper end of the tube. Ducts such as 59 connect the recess 53 with anauxiliary space provided between the base of the support 51 and thebell-shaped catalyzer 61 capping this core and the heatingv resistanceon it. Loopholes such as 62 at the upper end of the enlarged base of thesupport 51 provide the admittance of the outer air inside thebell-shaped catalyzer 61. The aldehyde vapors pass into the atmospherethrough the channels 63 in the catalyzer bell.

The catalyzer bell may be of copper or any other suitable metal asstated hereinbefore. But it is preferable to make it of an inert andporous material such as baked China clay or slightly compressedpulverized magnesia, asbestos or the like. Said material which has beenimmersed for impregnation in a solution of 5% silver nitrate, has beendried and treated by a boiling solution of diluted formic acid (HCOOH).The silver is reduced and adheres to the porous material on which itforms minute metallic particles. When the catalyzer bell is formed ofslightly compressed powder, it may be reinforced by a metal gauzeembedded in it in the making. The catalyzer mass might also be heldbetween two widely perforated reinforcing members.

What I claim is:

1. A device for spreading disinfecting vapours in the air byvaporization and incomplete catalytic oxidation of alcohol and the likeliquids, comprising a wick to be impregnated with the liquid to beincompletely oxidized; means for allowing air to come in contact withthe wick; a catalyzer the nature of which is such that catalyzing actiontakes place only when said catalyzer is heated by heating means fed byan external supply and ceases when said means are made inoperative; anelectrical heating device adapted for vaporizing the liquid in the wickand for causing the catalyzer to become operative, means for feedingcurrent thereto.

2. A device for spreading disinfecting vapours in the air byvaporization and incomplete catalytic oxidation of alcohol and the likeliquids, comprising a wick to be impregnated with the liquid to beincompletely oxidized; means for allowing air to come in contact withthe wick; a catalyzer .made of copper which would become inoperativewhen not heated; an electrical heating device adapted for vaporizing theliquid in the wick and for causing the catalyzer to become operative,means for feeding current thereto.

3. A device for spreading disinfecting vapours in the air byvaporization and incomplete catalytic oxidation of alcohol and the likeliquids, comprising a wick to be impregnated with the liquid to beincompletely oxidized; means for allowing air to come in contact withthe wick; a catalyzer made of silver which would become inoperative whennot heated; an electrical heating device adapted for vaporizing theliquid in the wick and for causing the catalyzer to become p.- erative,means for feeding current thereto.

4. A device for spreading disinfecting vapours in the air byvaporization and incomplete catalytic oxidation of alcohol and the likeliquids, comprising a wick to be impregnated with the liquid to beincompletely oxidized; means for allowing air to come in contact withthe wick; a catalyzer constituted by a porous body which has beenimpregnated with a solution of silver nitrate and further treated by areducing agent which would become inoperative when not heated, anelectrical heating device adapted for vaporizing the liquid in the wickand for causing the catalyzer to become operative, means for feedingcurrent thereto.

5. A device for spreading disinfecting vapors in the air by vaporizationand incomplete catalytic oxidation of alcohol and the like liquids,comprising a wick to be impregnated with the liquid to 3 be incompletelyoxidized, means for allowing air to come in contact with the wick, acatalyzer coaxially arranged with reference to the wick and the natureof which is such that catalyzing action takes place only when saidcatalyzer is heated by heating means fed by an external supply andceases when said means are made inoperative, an electric device heatingthe wick and the catalyzer and the distance of said electric device fromthe wick increasing gradually as it is nearer the end thereof, forobtaining a constant ratio between the heating of the wick at each leveland the static pressure of the liquid in the wick at the same level andmeans for feeding current to said device.

6. A device for spreading disinfecting vapors in the air by vaporizationand incomplete catalytic oxidation of alcohol and the like liquids,comprising a wick to be impregnated with the liquid to be incompletelyoxidized, a catalyzer the nature of which is such that catalyzing actiontakes place only when said catalyzer is heated by heating means fed byan external supply and ceases when said means are made inoperative, anelectrical heating device adapted for vaporizing the liquid in the wickand for causing the catalyzer to become operative, means for feedingcurrent thereto, a protecting cap adapted to cover the wick, theelectric heating means and the catalyzer constituted by two parts eachprovided with apertures adapted to register with the apertures of theother part and means for simultaneously making the current-feeding meansoperative and making the apertures register and reversely forsimultaneously making the current-feeding means inoperative and makingthe apertures in each part of the cap register with the solid portionsof the other part.

7. A device for spreading disinfecting vapors in the air by vaporizationand incomplete catalytic oxidation of alcohol and the like liquids,comprising a wick to be impregnated with the liquid to be incompletelyoxidized, means for allowing air to come in contact with the wick, aprotecting casing provided with an aperture and enclosing the wick, theelectric heating means and the catalyzer, a cover adapted to close theaperture in the casing, and electromagnetic means fed by thecurrent-feeding means and adapted, when the latter means are operative,to raise the cover oil the aperture in the casing.

PIERRE LUCIEN VIDAL.

